Surname Feane - Meaning and Origin

Feane: What does the surname Feane mean?

The last name Feane is an Irish surname believed to have originated in the counties of Cork and Kerry in the southwest region of the island. The surname is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic name O'Fiann, which translates to "son of Fiann." Fiann was a personal name meaning some variation of ardent or enthusiastic.

The name appears in Irish records as far back as 1172, when a man named "Gilla Fiann O'Fiann" is documented. Through the ages the name saw many variants, including Phanne, Fehan, Feigin, Phian, and Ffinn.

In modern times, Feane is a highly localized name. According to a recent survey, the name is most commonly found in counties Cork and Kerry - though the name still has a presence in other Irish regions such as Limerick, Galway and Dublin. The diaspora has also seen the name cropping up in places like the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Feane family motto is "Generositate Porrigere Virtutem," which translates to "Extending Generosity to Virtue." This motto serves as an enduring reminder of the virtues of the Feane people, who are expected to treat others with kindness and respect.

Feane: Where does the name Feane come from?

The last name Feane is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland).

In England, the surname is most concentrated in the London area, especially in the East End and Southwestern London, but can also be found in Essex and the Isle of White. In Scotland, it is most common in Glasgow and Aberdeenshire. In Northern Ireland, it can be found in Belfast and counties Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, and Londonderry.

The surname is also common in other parts of Europe, particularly France, Spain, and Ireland. Other countries outside of Europe where it can be found include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada.

The origin of Feane is uncertain. It is believed to be derived from an Old French given name, Ffoyne, with an added patronymic suffix-one, meaning ‘son of Ffoyne’. The surname may also come from a Welsh or Breton personal name, Ffayne, which is derived from the Latin word fagus, meaning “beech tree”.

It is possible that Feane is a variant of the Irish surname Fagan, which is derived from the Gaelic Ó Fágáin, meaning “descendants of Fágán”. This is based on the given name Fágán, which is derived from the Old Irish fác, meaning “hawk”.

Overall, the last name Feane is most commonly found in the UK and other parts of Europe, but can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Feane

The surname Feane is of Irish origin, though it is also found in other parts of the world. Some of the common variants and spellings of the name include Fian, Feean, Fawn, Fianne, Feayn, Feighn, Feign, Fiane, Fayn, Fenn, and Fyn.

The Irish Feane family can be traced back to O'Fian, the hereditary Chief of the O'Fian clan. The clan was originally from what is now County Mayo before expanding to other parts of Ireland.

The surname is often seen in its full version, but it can also be Anglicised to Fayne and Fen. The Feane name can also be found with the spelling of Fane, Vane, and Vain.

Families with the name Feane are often found with interconnected surnames, such as Fanning, Finney, Fannin, and Fallon. These are derived from the same Irish roots, meaning 'Son of'.

The Feane surname is now found worldwide, derived mostly from Irish immigrants of the past. It is likely that variants can be found in many languages as a result.

Overall, the Feane surname has numerous variants and spellings that are all derived from the same Irish roots. This has resulted in the name being spread around the world, with many people taking on variants depending on the language of their new home.

Famous people with the name Feane

• Scott Feane: Winner of the International Clarksville Speedway's NASCAR Racing Series in 2019.
• Jason Feane: Rugby league player for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL) from 1993 to 1995.
• Maria Feane: Irish politician and barrister who was elected to serve on South Dublin County Council.
• Blade Feane: Professional golfer, currently playing on the eGolf Professional Tour
• Samuel Feane: English porcelain and ceramic artist, known for his intricate decorative designs.
• Jennifer Feane: American actress, best known for her roles in movies such as Valet, Waterproof, and Remember Terri.
• Timothy Feane: British film producer who gained notoriety for his feature films based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
• Kenneth Feane: award-winning winemaker, founder of Feane Winery in Napa Valley, California.
• Jeff Feane: Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals from 1983 to 1989.
• Alison Feane: Irish entrepreneur and founder of the popular clothing and lifestyle brand Feane Clothing.

Other surnames

FeanFeanes